Vaginal Cancer
What is the vagina?
The vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during
menstrual periods. It is also called the "birth canal." The vagina
connects the cervix (the opening of the womb, or uterus) and the vulva (the
external genitalia).
What is vaginal cancer?
Cancer of the vagina, a rare kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which
malignant cells are found in the tissues of the vagina.
There are several types of cancer of the vagina. The two most common are:
- squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma)
- squamous carcinoma is most often found in women between the ages of 60
and 80, and accounts for 85-90 percent of all vaginal cancers.
- adenocarcinoma is more often found in women between the ages of 12 and
30, and accounts for 5-10 percent of all vaginal cancers.
- A rare form of cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma results from the
use of the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) given to pregnant women between
1945 and 1970 to keep them from miscarrying.
Other types of vaginal cancer include:
- malignant melanoma
- leiomyosarcoma
- rhabdomyosarcoma
What are risk factors for vaginal cancer?
The following have been suggested as risk factors for vaginal cancer:
- 40 percent of women are older than 60, with most between ages 50 and 70
- exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) as a fetus (mother took DES during
pregnancy)
- vaginal adenosis
- human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- history of cervical cancer
- history of cervical precancerous conditions
- vaginal irritation
- uterine prolapse
What are symptoms and signs of vaginal cancer?
There are a number of benign conditions that can produce similar symptoms
as vaginal cancer. Consult your physician for a diagnosis if you experience
any/all of the following.
- bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods
- difficult or painful urination
- pain during intercourse
- pain in the pelvic area
- constipation
- a mass that can be felt
Even if a woman has had a hysterectomy, she still has a chance of developing
vaginal cancer.
How is vaginal cancer diagnosed?
There are several tests used to diagnose vaginal cancer, including:
- pelvic examination of the vagina, and other organs in the pelvis, checking
for tumors, lumps, or masses (i.e., may include colposcopy)
- Pap test
- biopsy to obtain tissue for examination in a laboratory
How may vaginal cancer be treated?
Specific treatment for vaginal cancer will be determined by your physician(s)
based on:
- your overall health and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
Generally, there are three kinds of treatment available for patients with cancerous
or precancerous conditions of the vagina:
- surgery, including:
- laser surgery to remove the cancer, including LEEP (loop electroexcision
procedure)
- local excision to remove the cancer
- (partial) vaginectomy to remove the vagina
- chemotherapy (topical)
- radiation therapy
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